You certainly did your homework on features of this car. Thank you! My God parents who were millionaires back in the 50’s, had one of these luxury Imperials. At 10 years old, riding in the back seat was cavernous! This car was way ahead of its time. Cruising on the brand new interstate, my Godfather ran it up to 90mph and it felt like 50mph. Incredible ride!
Back then a million dollars bought you a LOT of things. It was a “big deal” to have a millionaire in the family since “loaded wallets” were far fewer in number. Almost a forgotten era but ,nevertheless , the stuff of our childhood. 👍
No one thought about safety back then!...Those large, pretty vehicles had no side protection, no collapsing steering columns, no airbags, only optional seatbelts, marginal shocks and brakes...I could go on, but you get my point. I love the styling of those barges, but I would never want to own and drive one, nowadays. And I owned a couple of these beasts, back in the 1960s and 70s. Cars of today are dull and boring, for the most part...but they are much more safe!
As a kid in the '50's and '60's, as kids we looked forward to the car magazines that would show the new designs for next seasons new styles and options. I've said it so many times, I'm glad I grew up when I did. All I missed was steam locomotives😢!
I fell in love with these 50's cars as a post war kid reading Car & Driver magazine in the UK. So much style, sleek and spacious, just forget the road holding cruising down I-95 from Connecticut to Florida.
I had a 1965 Imperial Crown 4 dr…. A beautiful more restrained elegant Elwood Engle design, reminiscent of his classic 60’s “Kennedy” Lincolns These are finely crafted, well engineered barges! The interiors had real metal chrome, no plastic, with a full width tall strip of real dark Walnut panelling…. Wow! I loved mine…. Unfortunately it was caught in a flood, and was never the same!!🥴😢 Thanks for the fine review of a true classic!
Cadillac didn't have nothing on this one and I'm lifelong Caddy guy. I was able to drive one these around WA. And OR. Back in The late 1970s. Sweet ride.
This car really has a commanding presence! As I recall Mr. Drysdale (Beverly Hillbillies) was always chauffeured around in a black LeBaron. 😊. Always enjoy your thorough videos! Thanks James for this presentation! 👍
What a beautiful aero-shape to this car!! A friend of mine has a '57 rotting away in his back yard that still looks magnificent even in its current terrible shape. Part of the unfortunate Imperial legacy he discovered while looking for parts for his was that they made great demolition derby cars! More than one person told him how legendary they were with that crowd: That the only thing that could beat an Imperial was another Imperial; guys would refuse to compete if an Imperial showed up and that they were even banned in some places. Sad, but true, that was the fate of many of these beautiful cars
James; Another great detailed video and a fantastic example of the magnificent IMPERAL automobile. When you met one of these going down the road, there was no mistaking what make it was!
Wow, James! I am thoroughly impressed! You always outdo yourself with every video you present, and this one is no exception. The videography, the knowledge you impart, and the overall production is first-rate. It's guys like you who keep me from getting into this same kind of thing! LOL! Seriously, though, well done! I think this is one of your best. And this is from someone who enjoys all of your videos. Keep it up!
I was a 'kid' when Chrysler Corporation came out with their 'Forward Look' design in 1957. It was then I decided I liked the Imperial better than the Caddy or Lincoln models. This car you tested is a beauty, wouldn't mind having it or one like it as a classic in my garage. Thanks!
So gl;ad to see this! The early 60s Chryslers are some of the most interesting, ornate, and creatively-executed designs, and the subject car is stupendous.
DUDE! I have MAD RESPECT for you, your reviewing skills & honestly, EVERY aspect of your podcast. Thanks to the "Algorithm Gods" diligently at work at UA-cam, this episode showed up in my feed today. After watching just this one, random installment, I have already (gladly) hit the Subscribe button. Moving on . . . The Imperial you're reviewing is a drop-dead BEAST of American luxury, circa late 1950s. It's one of THE MOST BEAUTIFUL cars I've ever seen & I'm almost 73 years old! Can't wait to enjoy more of your Auto Reviews.
Just a stunning automobile, and great job of showing this vehicle and highlighting its unique characteristics and features Thank you, enjoyed this very much!!!
Excellent review James! That car is truly magnificent and really a piece of art in so many ways. I've never seen one of those before and I'm a pretty avid Mecum watcher. You can tell whoever owns it has shown it a lot of love over the years. Thanks again for this and hope all is well for you!
Happy to see you review an Imperial. A great review of a truly beautiful and unique automobile. My grandfather had a 62 Imperial and we all loved it. These old cars have a presence about them regardless of the manufacturer. It's great that you are keeping the memories of these old cars alive for all of us to see. I look forward to more reviews from you about any old cars you come across. Thank you.
Virgil Exner was the Eero Saarinen of Detroit, and the 1959 & '60 Imperials are pretty much the height of Mid Century Modern Luxury. This car is nothing but Atomic Age Class. And as @groovy1937 pointed out, its called a "Southampton" because this is what a 'Don Draper' would've driven from his penthouse in Manhattan to the Hamptons for a long weekend of golf, yachting, and martinis galore! Great video, liked and Subscribed!
I'm glad to see a late 1950s Foward Look Imperial featured here! Unfortunately, the last Hemi engines appeared in the 1958 Imperials, and never again would a Hemi be offered in an Imperial or Chrysler Imperial. Also, Chrysler Corporation's use of the Southampton name made reference to Southampton, NewYork.
Thanks for verifying that information. I kind of started when he mentioned that the hemi had returned later. The hemi was originally discontinued due to complexity and high cost of manufacture.
ABSOLUTELY ENJOYABLE review of this IMPERIAL produced the year I was born …… I believe it would take some time to remember by heart ALL the gages in this video…. This one looked the best out of all the versions next would be the convertible.. THANKS for sharing !
Hi James, in 1960 press photographers for the major news networks must have loved the Imperial sedan because during the 1960 presidential campaign, Vice-President Richard Nixon was forever filmed getting into, or out of, a limousine black Imperial LeBaron sedan. Mr. Nixon must have wondered if the photographers were there to capture him, or the Imperial. Even in newspaper photos, Nixon was near to the Imperial, as if the LeBaron sedan made him look presidential. Strange to think that in my childhood I only saw Imperials on television!
I’ve always been a Cadillac owner from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and some 90’s when I switched to Mercedes. With that being said, Imperial is a very interesting brand with such beautiful lines and many first that I like as a vintage car enthusiasts. Keep up the great videos my friend, I’m enjoying them! 😎
White and black interior? I wasn’t ready for that. The view of the car in motion was beautiful. Chrysler’s offerings from the late ‘50s to mid ‘60s are some of the most impressive in their history. Imperials are fascinating cars with unique designs and features. Loved watching that car moving on the highway. Thank you for an excellent examination.
Well, you wouldn't want a white carpet in your car... but it was a fairly common combination... as well an all-black interior, with light or dark exterior colors. My sister had a '70 Duster in brown with a black interior...
The 1959 Imperial did use the same 413 V-8 with 350 Horsepower from the Chrysler New Yorker (replaced by the 440 V-8 in 1966). However, the window glass on those Imperials was uniquely curved which was rare as almost all brands were still using flat pane side windows. This 1959 Imperial has the larger diameter 15-inch wheels which replaced the smaller (but wider) 14-inch wheels used earlier in the 1959 model year. Sales of new Imperials during the independent years of 1955 from 1975 were inconsistent... with only strong sales in 1957, 1964, and 1969 when the Imperial had a completely new look. Unfortunately, sales of Imperials in the other model years with carryover styling was rather weak. Some of the blame on poor sales was its luxury car image which was not as strong as Cadillac (along with being sold in the same showroom with cheaper Chrysler models). Other reasons for mostly poor sales were the Imperial's low resale value and inconsistent quality control (Cadillac did better on both counts).
James, great video. What a stunning car! I had thought the name was based on the town in the Hamptons on Long Island. Good to know the real source! I'm already looking forward to the next video!
Hello! Thank you so much for your excellent view of this 1959 Imperial. I happened to come from a family that not only drive Chrysler vehicles but since we lived in Detroit, but my family only drove Chryslers. I have given a few of your points some extended thoughts that fit in to the points you made. In the late 50s, American automotive technology and had reached a high point that allowed the creature comforts to become almost expected. Probably most people reading this don't remember a time when most American cars did not include air conditioning. In fact it was so novel the manufacturer put little decals. On the right lower rear window that pointed out the car had air conditioning. The other point I would make for this reply is this. When buyers make the jump to a luxury car much of that decision is steeped in emotion that states you have made it. In the American 50s, one of the biggest status symbols that measured success was a new Cadillac in the driveway and in California, a swimming pool in the back yard. The Imperial and Lincolns are both much better machines but when we were showing off it had to be Cadillac. Today it's BMW and that's too bad because that's just the tip of the ice berg. I have a lot more to say.
Hi James. I have a 1960 Imperial Crown Southampton coupe. I believe that the Southampton designation means that it did not have a B pillar, not that it was a hardtop. I think that Imperial was better engineered than Cadillac at the time. I'd love for you to review my '60 Imperial sometime. Keep making these great videos. We really love them.
@@danielulz1640 Sorry for the confusion. What I should have said was that Imperial made models with and without B pillars. If the car had a B pillar is was called a Custom, Crown, or LeBaron. If is did not have a B pillar, then it was a Southampton Custom, Southampton Crown, or a Southampton LeBaron.
I had driven a 1967 Chrysler Newport V8 318 or 383 engine from Detroit to Flint, 68.5 miles one way and back on a full tank of gas traveling at 55mph. When I returned to Detroit hone the gas needle barely budged to 3/4 of a tank. I was amazed how great the car was on gas. This was Christmas of 1990
Torqueflite transmission! Powerflite was a 2-speed available 1954 to mid-year 1956 when the 3-speed Torqueflite was introduced in the New Yorker, 300, Adventurer and Imperial, and on the full Chrysler line beginning in 1957, with both offered in Plymouth and Dodge thru 1960.
..while the front fenders may have been from the previous 1958 Imperial models, Chrysler stylists dropped the headlights down from the upper under fender area to mid grill creating a lower front/"face" appearance popular at the time as lower flat horizontal silhouettes (by Ford and Chrysler) were the rage. GM was playing a radical catch up in '59.
James. My Uncle had a 1966 Imperial. I don't remember if it was a Crown or LeBaron. I couldn't believe all the features that car had. It rode like you were on a cloud. It was a forest green with a matching vinyl top. I felt like I was so rich riding in that car. Especially when he drove me to school one day. All the kids just looked as I got out of that car. They don't make them like this anymore. In 1975 he purchased a New Imperial as it was the last year of them. After that he purchased Cadillacs.
A beautiful and well engineered automobile, both inside and out. As far as I'm concerned, American luxury cars of the 50s and 60s remain some of the nicest cars ever made, with distinct styling and class that has never gone out of style. I'm a Cadillac guy through and through, but the 57 Chrysler Forward Look design absolutely inspired the iconic 59 Cadillac. It's a shame that Imperial doesn't get the notoriety deserves. Even if you do just look at it as a Chrysler... It's still a seriously impressive machine!
1. 1958 was the last year for the hemi engine in any Imperial. 2. You called the trans PowerFlite multiple times. The 3-speed automatic in any MoPar is the TorqueFlite. 3. The dash guage you called a volts gauge is actually an ammeter. It measures/displays the battery rate of charge or discharge.
Whoever ordered that car must have had plenty of money. Not many cars back then had all those options especially air conditioning. It is truely a work of art even a Cadillac in 1959 wasn't this over the top.
The main problem with Imperial sales, was that people did associate it with Chrysler vehicles...and Chrysler Corp was known to make the least reliable vehicles, across the board. They had innovative styles and "extra" goodies...but nagging reliability problems kept sales down.
They are cars. And they are Art.
Never used to think it, but these cars are extraordinary. They are design wonders, like cathedrals of car design.
You certainly did your homework on features of this car. Thank you!
My God parents who were millionaires back in the 50’s, had one of these luxury Imperials. At 10 years old, riding in the back seat was cavernous!
This car was way ahead of its time. Cruising on the brand new interstate, my Godfather ran it up to 90mph and it felt like 50mph. Incredible ride!
Back then a million dollars bought you a LOT of things. It was a “big deal” to have a millionaire in the family since “loaded wallets” were far fewer in number. Almost a forgotten era but ,nevertheless , the stuff of our childhood. 👍
The most outrageous, cool and desirable car you have reviewed, JW.
All I can say is WOW! So good looking! Virtually a perfect 10. I really like, like a lot! Super impressive. The car is nice too-
Born 1960, those cars from 1950's, 60's are my favorites, big, comfortable cruisers, as a toddler I'd stand on the front seat when my parents drove
No one thought about safety back then!...Those large, pretty vehicles had no side protection, no collapsing steering columns, no airbags, only optional seatbelts, marginal shocks and brakes...I could go on, but you get my point. I love the styling of those barges, but I would never want to own and drive one, nowadays. And I owned a couple of these beasts, back in the 1960s and 70s. Cars of today are dull and boring, for the most part...but they are much more safe!
Love Virgil Exner’s Chrysler designs from 1957 to 1960. The 1960 Imperial styling was my favorite.
Imagine changing the look of the car you build EVERY YEAR! Those days are long gone.
Just jellybean shapes 😅
As a kid in the '50's and '60's, as kids we looked forward to the car magazines that would show the new designs for next seasons new styles and options. I've said it so many times, I'm glad I grew up when I did. All I missed was steam locomotives😢!
It really is a stunning vehicle. Love the colour too❤❤❤
I fell in love with these 50's cars as a post war kid reading Car & Driver magazine in the UK.
So much style, sleek and spacious, just forget the road holding cruising down I-95 from Connecticut to Florida.
Nice walk down memory lane who remembers when these were new. Beautiful
The Imperial was one of the most beautifully crafted and designed cars. Gorgeous!
I had a 1965 Imperial Crown 4 dr…. A beautiful more restrained elegant Elwood Engle design, reminiscent of his classic 60’s “Kennedy” Lincolns
These are finely crafted, well engineered barges!
The interiors had real metal chrome, no plastic, with a full width tall strip of real dark Walnut panelling…. Wow! I loved mine…. Unfortunately it was caught in a flood, and was never the same!!🥴😢
Thanks for the fine review of a true classic!
Cadillac didn't have nothing on this one and I'm lifelong Caddy guy. I was able to drive one these around WA. And OR. Back in The late 1970s. Sweet ride.
Wow, that is a stunner. Imagine seeing that kind of car on the road today.
FINALLY a Review and Reviewer who DOESNT refer to the car as a “Chrysler” !!
That's because it isn't.
Beautiful Land yacht, nice posting!
Cars had so much style back in the day
So happy to see you branching out to review other unique cars. And this Imperial certainly fits that bill. What a beauty!
Garbage in, garbage out!
@@sckernvery rude and unnecessary.
1959 showroom condition. Just incredible.👍
Absolutely a work of art!!! Love your videos. Keep them coming!!!😊
This car really has a commanding presence! As I recall Mr. Drysdale (Beverly Hillbillies) was always chauffeured around in a black LeBaron. 😊. Always enjoy your thorough videos! Thanks James for this presentation! 👍
That's very true! So glad that you enjoyed the video. Thank you Lon 😁
Glad you remembered!
Miss Hathaway
What a beautiful aero-shape to this car!! A friend of mine has a '57 rotting away in his back yard that still looks magnificent even in its current terrible shape. Part of the unfortunate Imperial legacy he discovered while looking for parts for his was that they made great demolition derby cars! More than one person told him how legendary they were with that crowd: That the only thing that could beat an Imperial was another Imperial; guys would refuse to compete if an Imperial showed up and that they were even banned in some places. Sad, but true, that was the fate of many of these beautiful cars
An absolute work of art
Wow…what a real beauty…American craftsmanship at its finest. And those white walls rock…
James; Another great detailed video and a fantastic example of the magnificent IMPERAL automobile. When you met one of these going down the road, there was no mistaking what make it was!
Nice body ! Both the car and Driver!
Have you ever seen so many beautiful ornaments hung on a car? Gorgeous.
Wow, James! I am thoroughly impressed! You always outdo yourself with every video you present, and this one is no exception. The videography, the knowledge you impart, and the overall production is first-rate. It's guys like you who keep me from getting into this same kind of thing! LOL! Seriously, though, well done! I think this is one of your best. And this is from someone who enjoys all of your videos. Keep it up!
I was a 'kid' when Chrysler Corporation came out with their 'Forward Look' design in 1957. It was then I decided I liked the Imperial better than the Caddy or Lincoln models. This car you tested is a beauty, wouldn't mind having it or one like it as a classic in my garage. Thanks!
So gl;ad to see this! The early 60s Chryslers are some of the most interesting, ornate, and creatively-executed designs, and the subject car is stupendous.
A 10! You don't do enough of these - not sure what your day job is, but cars/reviews/vintage is your calling.
DUDE! I have MAD RESPECT for you, your reviewing skills & honestly, EVERY aspect of your podcast. Thanks to the "Algorithm Gods" diligently at work at UA-cam, this episode showed up in my feed today. After watching just this one, random installment, I have already (gladly) hit the Subscribe button. Moving on . . .
The Imperial you're reviewing is a drop-dead BEAST of American luxury, circa late 1950s. It's one of THE MOST BEAUTIFUL cars I've ever seen & I'm almost 73 years old! Can't wait to enjoy more of your Auto Reviews.
Majestic work of art!!
My parents had a gold one when I was a kid. Great car, and very beautiful.
What a beautiful car! Great review, keep up the good work!
top of the list… really impressed… BRAVO
Just a stunning automobile, and great job of showing this vehicle and highlighting its unique characteristics and features
Thank you, enjoyed this very much!!!
Very good video! I’m so glad you didn’t call it a Chrysler. Thank you.
Lucky to get an Imperial of that vintage to review. Incredibly rare and this car looks showroom new.
Excellent review James! That car is truly magnificent and really a piece of art in so many ways. I've never seen one of those before and I'm a pretty avid Mecum watcher. You can tell whoever owns it has shown it a lot of love over the years. Thanks again for this and hope all is well for you!
What a gorgeous beast. (laughably flamboyant but that was the style back then, but still gorgeous 😁)
Always enjoy watching you profile the Cadillac vehicles but gotta ❤️ the Imperial. An absolute beauty!
Awesome car and video, thank you , I can’t believe all of the technology for 1959 😮
Happy to see you review an Imperial. A great review of a truly beautiful and unique automobile. My grandfather had a 62 Imperial and we all loved it. These old cars have a presence about them regardless of the manufacturer. It's great that you are keeping the memories of these old cars alive for all of us to see. I look forward to more reviews from you about any old cars you come across. Thank you.
Virgil Exner was the Eero Saarinen of Detroit, and the 1959 & '60 Imperials are pretty much the height of Mid Century Modern Luxury. This car is nothing but Atomic Age Class. And as @groovy1937 pointed out, its called a "Southampton" because this is what a 'Don Draper' would've driven from his penthouse in Manhattan to the Hamptons for a long weekend of golf, yachting, and martinis galore! Great video, liked and Subscribed!
The forward look
I'm glad to see a late 1950s Foward Look Imperial featured here! Unfortunately, the last Hemi engines appeared in the 1958 Imperials, and never again would a Hemi be offered in an Imperial or Chrysler Imperial.
Also, Chrysler Corporation's use of the Southampton name made reference to Southampton, NewYork.
Thanks for verifying that information. I kind of started when he mentioned that the hemi had returned later. The hemi was originally discontinued due to complexity and high cost of manufacture.
Always loved the styling of these Imperials! Great video !
What a beautiful car! Thanks for showing. Love the late 50's/early 60's Chrysler cars!
love it James ! my fave, '60 black LeBaron, grey wool broadcloth.
Finest expression of the Forward Look from the brilliant mind of Virgil Max Exner 😊❤.
Of All Of The Imperials The1959 Imperial Has To Be My Favorite Year. Thanks For Showing It JAMES Its A Rolling Piece Of Art.
ABSOLUTELY ENJOYABLE review of this IMPERIAL produced the year I was born …… I believe it would take some time to remember by heart ALL the gages in this video…. This one looked the best out of all the versions next would be the convertible.. THANKS for sharing !
This is more than a car. It's a work of art.
James, another outstanding review! I learned a lot watching this UA-cam.
Thank you so much!!
@@JW_Reviews you are welcome
Beautifully narrated!
A big thank you sir!
An Imperial enthusiast
Denver Colorado
Hi James, in 1960 press photographers for the major news networks must have loved the Imperial sedan because during the 1960 presidential campaign, Vice-President Richard Nixon was forever filmed getting into, or out of, a limousine black Imperial LeBaron sedan. Mr. Nixon must have wondered if the photographers were there to capture him, or the Imperial. Even in newspaper photos, Nixon was near to the Imperial, as if the LeBaron sedan made him look presidential. Strange to think that in my childhood I only saw Imperials on television!
I’ve always been a Cadillac owner from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and some 90’s when I switched to Mercedes. With that being said, Imperial is a very interesting brand with such beautiful lines and many first that I like as a vintage car enthusiasts. Keep up the great videos my friend, I’m enjoying them! 😎
Best subject EVER!!!
White and black interior?
I wasn’t ready for that.
The view of the car in motion was beautiful.
Chrysler’s offerings from the late ‘50s to mid ‘60s are some of the most impressive in their history.
Imperials are fascinating cars with unique designs and features.
Loved watching that car moving on the highway.
Thank you for an excellent examination.
Well, you wouldn't want a white carpet in your car... but it was a fairly common combination... as well an all-black interior, with light or dark exterior colors. My sister had a '70 Duster in brown with a black interior...
Wow, James, that steering wheel is giant. Your review is excellent; I can't wait to see your next one.
The 1959 Imperial did use the same 413 V-8 with 350 Horsepower from the Chrysler New Yorker (replaced by the 440 V-8 in 1966). However, the window glass on those Imperials was uniquely curved which was rare as almost all brands were still using flat pane side windows. This 1959 Imperial has the larger diameter 15-inch wheels which replaced the smaller (but wider) 14-inch wheels used earlier in the 1959 model year. Sales of new Imperials during the independent years of 1955 from 1975 were inconsistent... with only strong sales in 1957, 1964, and 1969 when the Imperial had a completely new look. Unfortunately, sales of Imperials in the other model years with carryover styling was rather weak. Some of the blame on poor sales was its luxury car image which was not as strong as Cadillac (along with being sold in the same showroom with cheaper Chrysler models). Other reasons for mostly poor sales were the Imperial's low resale value and inconsistent quality control (Cadillac did better on both counts).
Fabulous.
Wow, that is one gorgeous car !!!
James, great video. What a stunning car! I had thought the name was based on the town in the Hamptons on Long Island. Good to know the real source! I'm already looking forward to the next video!
My neighbor had one! It was white and black it was the crown. My 1st take was the seats jus so awesome
Great video, perhaps the best video ever on UA-cam regarding Imperial.
Absolutely Gorgeous Car. And in a Awesome
Very Beautiful Color.
Hello! Thank you so much for your excellent view of this 1959 Imperial. I happened to come from a family that not only drive Chrysler vehicles but since we lived in Detroit, but my family only drove Chryslers. I have given a few of your points some extended thoughts that fit in to the points you made. In the late 50s, American automotive technology and had reached a high point that allowed the creature comforts to become almost expected. Probably most people reading this don't remember a time when most American cars did not include air conditioning. In fact it was so novel the manufacturer put little decals. On the right lower rear window that pointed out the car had air conditioning. The other point I would make for this reply is this. When buyers make the jump to a luxury car much of that decision is steeped in emotion that states you have made it. In the American 50s, one of the biggest status symbols that measured success was a new Cadillac in the driveway and in California, a swimming pool in the back yard. The Imperial and Lincolns are both much better machines but when we were showing off it had to be Cadillac. Today it's BMW and that's too bad because that's just the tip of the ice berg. I have a lot more to say.
Beautiful, sweet car
nice review handsome
This car is art on wheels.. Great tech in it also.
Gorgeous Imperial. Imperial would offer power vent windows for the 1960 model year.
a real beauty !!! a Real car!!! A Great Automobile !!!!
Hi James. I have a 1960 Imperial Crown Southampton coupe. I believe that the Southampton designation means that it did not have a B pillar, not that it was a hardtop. I think that Imperial was better engineered than Cadillac at the time. I'd love for you to review my '60 Imperial sometime. Keep making these great videos. We really love them.
Uh, not having a B pillar IS what makes it a hardtop!
...to add to Daniel, the name "hardtop" is basically shorthand for "Hardtop Convertible"...
@@trudygreer2491correct, not to be confused with a convertible hardtop, such as a Ford Skyliner or several more modern models.
@@danielulz1640 Sorry for the confusion. What I should have said was that Imperial made models with and without B pillars. If the car had a B pillar is was called a Custom, Crown, or LeBaron. If is did not have a B pillar, then it was a Southampton Custom, Southampton Crown, or a Southampton LeBaron.
I had driven a 1967 Chrysler Newport V8 318 or 383 engine from Detroit to Flint, 68.5 miles one way and back on a full tank of gas traveling at 55mph. When I returned to Detroit hone the gas needle barely budged to 3/4 of a tank. I was amazed how great the car was on gas. This was Christmas of 1990
Great review, thank you.
Nice review James!
I’m a 1959 model myself. 😊
A total treasure for sure!!
A local doctor had a 1995? It was very nice!
You're looking pretty cute too in that amazing Imperial 😊
Indeed
What a beautiful Imperial! I couldn't help but notice though that there is no rubber pad on the floor parking brake.
I imagine it's difficult to find a "correct" replacement, eh?
Stud❤
Agreed 👍
Torqueflite transmission! Powerflite was a 2-speed available 1954 to mid-year 1956 when the 3-speed Torqueflite was introduced in the
New Yorker, 300, Adventurer and Imperial, and on the full Chrysler line beginning in 1957, with both offered in Plymouth and Dodge thru 1960.
I went through all the comments to see if anyone taught that. The button arrangement was different though with D N R 2 1 instead of R N D 2 1.
..while the front fenders may have been from the previous 1958 Imperial models, Chrysler stylists dropped the headlights down from the upper under fender area to mid grill creating a lower front/"face" appearance popular at the time as lower flat horizontal silhouettes (by Ford and Chrysler) were the rage. GM was playing a radical catch up in '59.
My friend has a fantastic 1931 Imperial
James. My Uncle had a 1966 Imperial. I don't remember if it was a Crown or LeBaron. I couldn't believe all the features that car had. It rode like you were on a cloud. It was a forest green with a matching vinyl top. I felt like I was so rich riding in that car. Especially when he drove me to school one day. All the kids just looked as I got out of that car. They don't make them like this anymore. In 1975 he purchased a New Imperial as it was the last year of them. After that he purchased Cadillacs.
Take the kids to school in a Bugatti - watch the idiots drool at the sight.
What a wonderful car. Present day designers need to up their game.
Imperial stands for Marketing. Great example of more isn’t better. Interesting car.
Art on Wheels
A beautiful and well engineered automobile, both inside and out. As far as I'm concerned, American luxury cars of the 50s and 60s remain some of the nicest cars ever made, with distinct styling and class that has never gone out of style. I'm a Cadillac guy through and through, but the 57 Chrysler Forward Look design absolutely inspired the iconic 59 Cadillac. It's a shame that Imperial doesn't get the notoriety deserves. Even if you do just look at it as a Chrysler... It's still a seriously impressive machine!
That automobile is scary beautiful. Bravo!
Beautiful !
STUNNING!
Simply amazing, opulent to the max! Love the drop down mirror too😊
What a great review, thank you !!
1. 1958 was the last year for the hemi engine in any Imperial.
2. You called the trans PowerFlite multiple times. The 3-speed automatic in any MoPar is the TorqueFlite.
3. The dash guage you called a volts gauge is actually an ammeter. It measures/displays the battery rate of charge or discharge.
Whoever ordered that car must have had plenty of money. Not many cars back then had all those options especially air conditioning. It is truely a work of art even a Cadillac in 1959 wasn't this over the top.
Simply DeLuxe 💋
The car is very nice, too! 😉
The main problem with Imperial sales, was that people did associate it with Chrysler vehicles...and Chrysler Corp was known to make the least reliable vehicles, across the board. They had innovative styles and "extra" goodies...but nagging reliability problems kept sales down.